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Jim Zullo, the former coach of the Northville High School girls' basketball team, appeared in Troy City Court on Wednesday (April 9) after being charged with second-degree harassment. The charge stems from an incident caught on camera, where Zullo was seen pulling the ponytail of player Hailey Monroe during the handshake line after a game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy last month. The video quickly went viral, leading to Zullo's dismissal from his coaching position.
Zullo, who is 81 years old, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which is classified as a violation rather than a criminal offense. The court issued an order of protection for Monroe, requiring Zullo to have no contact with her and to surrender a pistol he owns to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office by 4 p.m. on April 9. Zullo's attorney stated that he is complying with the court's orders.
The incident occurred after Northville's loss to La Fargeville in the Class D state championship game on March 21. According to RochesterFirst, Zullo claimed that Monroe directed an expletive at him, which led to his actions. However, he has since expressed regret and apologized to the team.
Zullo is expected to return to court on April 22. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association and the Northville Central School District have emphasized their commitment to the well-being of student-athletes. The viral video is anticipated to be a key piece of evidence in the ongoing legal proceedings, as reported by CBS6 Albany.